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Cristiano Ronaldo has convinced Joao Felix to join Al Nassr for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, emphasising national team synergy.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Felix played together at the 2022 World Cup (Picture credit: AFP)
Star Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo raised a plan, citing the national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to convince Joao Felix to join him at Al Nassr, according to a report in Portuguese outlet Record. After two weeks of facing an uncertain future, Felix is reportedly all set to complete a move to Al Nassr.
The report says that Ronaldo removed the youngster’s concerns about choosing Al Nassr over Benfica by using a very powerful argument: the national team.
Ronaldo said that by playing together at the Saudi team, both he and Felix could develop a profound understanding of themselves throughout 40 to 50 official games, besides 300 joint training sessions before the FIFA World Cup.
According to the report, Ronaldo said that their playing together could prove decisive in manager Roberto Martinez’s final choice for the Portuguese national side. Felix understood the implication of that, which played a crucial role in his decision to join Ronaldo at Al Nassr.
Felix signed for Chelsea last year for a reported fee of £44.5m, after joining the team on a loan deal in 2023.
According to the BBC, Felix has been permitted to travel to Riyadh for his medical to complete the move.
Chelsea recoup the £45m they paid Atletico Madrid for Felix last year, having sent the attacker out on loan to AC Milan for six months in January for a £5m loan fee.
Felix is one of several players Chelsea have put up for sale this summer, along with the likes of Christopher Nkunku, Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson.
Felix hoped to revive his career in Serie A but continued to struggle, forcing AC Milan to change their plans and reject the opportunity to sign him.
Despite his struggles, Felix still had supporters at Benfica and his boyhood club was in advanced negotiations to bring him back, but it seems like Ronaldo’s words had a bigger impact on him.
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